Track: Good showing for LV at BV West

Pioneers put together top finishes at Blue Valley West while Lansing struggles at Baldwin

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By Times Report

The Leavenworth Times - Leavenworth, KS

By Times Report

Posted Apr. 1, 2013 at 10:58 PM

By Times Report

Posted Apr. 1, 2013 at 10:58 PM

After two cancellations to begin the year, the Leavenworth track season finally started this weekend.

At the Blue Valley West Spring Classic, both Pioneer squads earned fourth overall. The teams will next compete at the Topeka Relays on Friday.

“We were real pleased with how the kids did,” Leavenworth boys' track coach Willis Willmeth said. “We know we have some kids that have some talent, so overall just a good start.”

On Friday, it was Leavenworth's John Warren who stole the show. He won first in the triple jump, the 300 hurdles, the 110 hurdles and second in the long jump.

Jeff George was third in the triple jump, Jared Belardo fifth in the long jump and Da'Quan Blake earned sixth in the shot put. Willie Morrison captured sixth in the discus as well.

“We got a great performance out of John and several of the other kids, so we are really looking for some big things this season,” Willmeth said.

The Lady Pioneers were led by Rachel Blackburn, first in the javelin, and Daysha Thomas, first in the 400 meters.

Rashayla Mathis won third in the 200 meters and second in the 100, while Lindsay Robichaux was fifth in the pole vault and Madison Schoen won sixth in the high jump.

Rough outing for Lansing

Whether it was first meet jitters, or just the effects of bad weather ruining preparation, Monday's Baldwin meet was not kind to the Lansing track and field team.

“It was probably one of our worse days competing in sometime,” Lansing coach Brian Malm said. “We have some people that are not quite in the shape that they need to be, which I hope we have addressed.”

“Simply put, as a team, we are not where we thought we would be at this time.”

Though the end result was not what the Lions expected, there were several medalists and bright spots for the squad.

The ladies were led by Nashia Baker, first in the 800 and second in the 1,600 meters, and Malika Baker, second in the 800 and third in the 1,600.

The boys saw Jimmy Bormolini get first in the 400, Darius Mathis was first in the triple jump as well as second in the high jump, and JT Hager won second in the 400.

Joe Henry took third in the high jump and Cole Portenier received the same spot in the triple jump.

The grouping of Bormolini, Hager, Lucas Mein and Henry won the 4x100 relay.

“We did have some bright spots, which was good, but overall we have a lot of work to do,” Malm said.